Troubleshooting My Roof Damage in Mesa AZ

Troubleshooting My Roof Damage in Mesa

Are you concerned about roof damage?

You may be thinking about dealing with roof renovations without professional consultation. 

If this sounds like you, you’re going down the wrong path. 

DIY repairs can prevent further damage, but they are temporary measures.

After fixing the issue, contact a roof specialist as soon as possible. 

That said, some good temporary repairs include caulking roof holes, replacing roof shingles, or applying roof cement.

Before repairing the issue, however, you must know how to find the holes and recognize the warning signs. 

This article will tell you how to troubleshoot roof damage in Mesa, Arizona. Let’s explore. 

High Cooling Bills 

Cooling can get expensive in Arizona (especially in the summer), but you may have noticed that your energy costs are higher than normal. 

This is because roof holes cause air to seep out of your home, forcing your AC unit to work overtime.

As a result, an overworked AC unit can break down sooner and result in costly repairs. 

To avoid these issues, find the hole in the roof as soon as possible. 

Finding the Hole

If you’re unable to pinpoint the hole(s), you can do the following:

  • Spraying water on your roof to see if water runs through the ceiling
  • Checking your ceiling for leaks on a rainy day
  • Turning off all lights in the home to see if light filters through the ceiling

If you plan to search for holes in the dark, the best place to start is the attic.

Turn off the attic lights to see if sunlight shines through your ceiling.

You can follow the same procedure for bedrooms and other areas of the house.

Ensure the room is pitch black so you can see the light. If you find the hole, mark the ceiling. 

That said, you should also look for holes in the exterior roof.

For hard-to-find holes, the hose method is the better choice. 

A hole is a better alternative if it won’t rain anytime soon.

Use the garden hose to spray on your roof.

Have a helper stay inside to convey if water begins leaking through the ceiling.

The helper should tap the ceiling to let you know about the leaks.

From there, scan the roof for holes or damage. 

If you don’t want to climb your roof, wait until it rains to identify the leak. Then, contact a roofing contractor. 

DIY Repair 

After identifying the roof holes, you can apply roofing cement or caulk to plug the leak. 

If you choose the caulking method, apply a small amount of caulk to the holes. 

Replacing the shingles is a great temporary solution as well. 

More importantly, you should replace missing shingles. 

Missing or damaged shingles can expose your roof to the elements. 

  • Example: You may have holes in your shingles from an old satellite dish or antenna. These holes can lead to wood rot and mold growth. The holes allow water and moisture to settle beneath your roof surface, allowing mold to fester. 

If you have a tiled roof, search for missing or broken tiles that indicate holes in your roof.

Roof Cement

Wet cement is more preferable to caulk when sealing a roof leak.

Use a putty knife or trowel to smooth the cement over the damaged area. 

Since Arizona is a dry environment, don’t thin out the cement.

Additionally, wet cement works better in drier conditions. Therefore, work on a non-rainy day. 

Apply a coat with a thickness level of about 1/8 inches.

For larger cracks or gaps, use other materials like fiberglass fabric or polyester.

For projects that require additional materials, apply another coat of wet cement on the original coat.

Pick up an extra gallon of wet cement for complex repairs to avoid multiple trips to the hardware store. 

Roof Cement Is Not a Permanent Solution

Roof cement is a sound solution, but it’s not a long-term one. Moreover, you stand the risk of damaging the roof further by trying to repair it yourself. 

  • Example: The sub-layer, wall, and skylight areas are structurally delicate. If you apply wet cement in these areas haphazardly, water can collect within your roof and cause damage. 

Many homeowners try to apply roof cement to avoid using roof nails.

In other cases, they’ll use it to replace a roof’s underlayment.

A roof relies on layers to keep water out of your home.

Homeowners that disrupt these layers can cause more damage than they intended, resulting in pricier repairs. 

Above all, don’t apply wet cement to avoid contacting a roofing contractor. 

A professional roof repair is your best chance of preventing further damage. 

They will recommend roof renovations or a new roof

You should especially call a professional if you have never applied roofing nails or roofing cement.

If you know nothing about roof repairs, try to contain the roof leaks to the best of your ability, and call a professional immediately. 

Dealing With Roof Damage the Right Way

To deal with roof damage effectively, try to find the leaks, and call a roofing contractor ASAP. 

Caulking and wet cement are great temporary measures, but a roofing contractor can deal with the issues permanently.

Also, a roofer will guarantee the repairs. 

Repairing a roof on your own is a tricky endeavor and can cause greater damage and/or severe injury.

Remember: roofing contractors are trained to navigate roofs effectively, whereas most homeowners don’t know how to traverse roofs safely. 

Want to know how you can trust a roof repair estimate? Click here to learn more. 


If you’re looking for the best mesa roofing repair company, contact the experts at AZ Roofing Works for a Free Roofing Estimate today! Call (602) 283-3383!

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